Lake Worth liver recipient discusses Facebook's new organ donation tool

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Four years ago this month, Debbie Chandler, Lake Worth, received the gift of life - a Liver.

"Never in a million years would I think that I'd need a transplant, never in a million years did I think I'd know anyone who would need a transplant," Chandler told NewsChannel 5's Mollie Reynolds.

Chandler says there are no words to describe the gratitude she has."I actually tear up thinking about this person and unfortunately I don't know who it is, but their family gave me the gift of life, gave my grandkids a grandma, gave my daughter a mom."

While social media didn't play a role in Chandler's transplant, she's using Facebook to share her story. Now, you can share that you're an organ donor with Facebook friends and can also find links to donor registries via the social media site.

Up until now, people could only declare that they are an organ donor on their driver's license or with a donor card.  Chandler and many others feel that Facebook is a new tool that could really make a difference.

"The more people you let know, the more chance there is for doctors, and relatives to truly understand the importance," Chandler said.

Not all of the reaction to this tool has been positive. Some people writing on the WPTV Facebook page think that it's just another way for Facebook to get more information out of its users. However, the organ donor declaration is simply another alternative to the DMV and donor card many already use, it's not being forced upon anyone.

Watch the video above for instructions on how to declare that you're an organ donor via Facebook.